Nine Circles

On November 24, exactly one week from today, Forêt Endormie will unveil Le d​é​sespoir utopique to the world. The third full-length album from the chamber ensemble formed by Falls of Rauros guitarist and composer Jordan Guerette, which translates to “Utopian Despair”, is certain to push their brand (and blend) of neoclassical and folk even further. Today, in preparation of that release, we at Nine Circles are honored to share the video for the stunning new track, titled “Une décision sera prise”. Give it a watch and listen immediately after the jump.

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As we start to unpack this, Jordan offered this insight into the track:

“Une décision sera prise” is about confronting huge decisions that have essentially binary answers, where if we take one path, we cannot take the other path. It is easy to put these decisions off – I certainly have in my life – but this song is also about recognizing that inaction is still a decision, and it often will not lead to what we truly want. On top of this, our beliefs and anxieties don’t allow us to see all the possible choices, causing us to limit ourselves and stagnate, which can be represented by the Eight of Swords in Tarot mythology. The song also ponders those watershed moments we have in our lives when we realize that the systems we live in are largely uncaring, and that part of adulthood is learning how to protect yourself from being swallowed up by these systems.

This song is the most influenced by aspects of electronic music that we’ve done, specifically artists like CLANN, Bearcubs, and Portishead, though as always with our music, it doesn’t really sound like any of those artists. You can hear these new influences most obviously in the sequenced drum beats and prominent synth pads, though violin, clarinet, double bass, piano, and electric guitar remain prominent. It is probably the easiest song in our catalogue to move your body to, and is maybe more accessible than some of our music. Then again, it’s pretty dissonant and probably weirder to many listeners’ ears than I realize. We hope you enjoy it.

Additionally, Lena Mozzhelina, the director of this video, provided some further context around the visual concepts and elements:

This music video was inspired by Tarot cards Eight of Swords and Justice.

The general meaning in the Eight of Swords is that of a feeling of being trapped and victimized, powerless. Surrendering one’s power to an unknown entity, whether it’s fate, or God, the government or something else means that you are giving away your own personal responsibility to affect change. The good news is that because these traps are things that we create ourselves, we can also leave them if we put our minds to it. It is simply the matter of taking off the blindfold, and seeing beyond the limited perspective that we created for ourselves – to see the possibilities, and to recognize that you have your own internal power.

The Justice card has to do with moral sensitivity and that which gives rise to empathy, compassion, and a sense of fairness.

Together those energies dance, interact, the blindfold comes off, freeing body and mind.

The fort represents the cycle, in its circular formation and because it’s isolated, it acts like a prison as well. Once the blindfold comes off, you see the way out, making a decision to walk a new path.

Speaking personally, I’ve always had some awareness of Forêt Endormie. Emerging from the “Forest City” of Portland, Maine, an area not far from my corner of New England, and with Jordan’s involvement in Falls of Rauros, one of my favorite bands anywhere, it was a project that was always at least on my radar. More recently, driven in part by a memorable performance at Fire In The Mountains in 2019, I’ve become completely locked in to what this ensemble is offering. “Une décision sera prise” is just the latest example of what makes Forêt Endormie so intriguing. The music is absolutely gorgeous, and it certainly is approachable. That much is evident immediately. But at the same time it’s the complexities that exist between the delivery of Jordan’s vocals, sung entirely in French, and the relationship between the electronic and acoustic elements, that I really appreciate. It’s a distinct structural quality that Forêt Endormie executes effortlessly. Combine all of that with an immersive, truly mesmerizing video that offers opportunity for (see also: demands) reflection, introspection, and ultimately inspiration — emphasized by the use black and white and frequent tight shots of the subjects — and you’re left with something that pulls you back in, again and again, hoping to unlock more of its message. “Une décision sera prise” contains immense depth, both in sound and sight, and serves as a strong indicator of what may lie ahead next week.

So to wrap up on that note, a quick reminder that Le d​é​sespoir utopique is out a week from today, November 24. It will available through Fiadh Productions, and can be grabbed over on Bandcamp here (and note the awesome vinyl bundle that also includes Étire dans le ciel vide), or you can check it out on Spotify. Be sure to keep in touch with Forêt Endormie on the socials.